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Book
Reviews
by Jack Pepper
BOTTLES AND RELICS
By Marvin and Helen Davis
This is the fifth book by Marvin and
Helen Davis, veteran bottle collectors
and treasure hunters. Among the many
outstanding features of their newest book
is more than 30 pages of color illustrations
of bottles. Instead of photographing
the bottles against a plain background
they used imagination and set the items
in natural settings.
In addition to the color photographs
there are dozens of pages of black and
white photographs showing more than
500 bottles with descriptions and current
prices.
The book also includes a special section
on the collection and display of
relics such as guns, horns, cooking utensils
and other items found in the West
which are considered collector's items.
Another interesting part of the book
is on treasure hunting and the use of
metal detectors. Slick paperback, 155
pages, four-color cover, $4.50.
BOOK OF CACTI
By Harry C. Lawson
Written for the amateur, this book
tells how to plant, care for and identify
cactus found in the West. Whether you
plan to plant just one cacti in a pot, or
start a cactus garden, it will assure you of
successful planting.
Using his own cactus collection, the
author has included 409 photographs and
descriptions of the plants. As the author
states: "The person who starts a cactus
garden will never cease to marvel how a
dusty looking little blob of green, all
bristles and defiance, can produce such
unique and breath-takingly lovely
blooms." Paperback, illustrated, 36 pages,
$2.00.
GHOST TOWNS OF NEW MEXICO
By Michael fenkinson with Karl
Kernberger
The history of New Mexico is reminiscent
of the ancient sagas. The conquistadors,
the gunmen, the miners and
freighters, the merchants and the politicians—all
these moved west and carved
a home, a territory, and, finally, a state
out of mountains and plains that were
hostile and harsh.
These pioneers were men of honor as
well as low, mean creatures, and a length
of rope and a cottonwood limb often
promptly solved what the quick flash of
a barroom gun left unfinished.
Ghost Towns is not just a tourists'
guide to exotic places. The book spans
the history of New Mexico from the past
to the present. Tales of Russian Bill and
Billy the Kid are set off against the first
atomic explosion; the unsolved murder
of Colonel Albert Fountain and his son
is recounted; and, coming to the present,
the reader visits a deserted town in which
a lone astronomer studies the sky for his
own pleasure.
The book is exceptionally well written
and Karl Kernberger's photographs could
be hung in any gallery. Hardcover, high
quality paper, large format, 153 pages.
Makes an excellent gift. $7.50.
NOTICE
Unless otherwise stated in
the review, all books reviewed
in DESERT Magazine
are available through
the Desert Magazine Book
Shop. Please add 50 cents
per order (not per book)
for handling and postage.
California residents must
also add 5 percent sales
tax for the total amount of
books.
TREASURE HUNTER'S GUIDE
TO THE LAW
By Clair Martin Christensen
Whether you are an avid treasure hunter
with a metal detector and other equipment
or merely a casual explorer you may
someday find a valuable "treasure trove."
Would you be able to keep it? Are you
in violation of Federal laws when you
pick up an Indian arrowhead ? What is
lost property?
The Treasure Hunter's Guide to the
Law answers these questions and dozens
of others which vitally affect finders of
valuables. The author also provides his
interpretation of the controversial Federal
Antiquities Act of 1906.
Among the many other subjects covered
are Mining Claims, Income Tax Aspects,
Gold Regulations, Trespass and Salvage,
and Marking and Recording of Claims.
This concise and factual book should
be carried by anyone who is exploring
the West and who might someday be
lucky enough to find a treasure trove—
whether it be an Indian arrowhead or
gold bullion. Paperback, 46 pages, $2.75.
NEW MEXICO PLACE NAMES
Edited by T. M. Pearce
Published by the University of New
Mexico, this book lists all of the places,
towns, former sites, mountains, hills,
mesas, rivers, lakes, arroyos etc. in New
Mexico including those settled by the
early Spaniards.
In addition to listing the places and
locations it provides a concise history of
the subjects. Persons traveling through
or in New Mexico will find their trip
is much more interesting if they know
the history of the places they visit.
It is also a valuable guide for back
country explorers, including treasure
hunters, bottle collectors and those interested
in seeing Indian settlements and
artifacts.
Paperback, 187 pages with more than
5000 individual names, $2.45.